Enneagram Rhapsody
Y’all. This is really good. That main guy singing has a good voice.
I used to have a book on the Enneagram (because of course I did); I liked to type people.
I also used to type as a 5, but I’ve just taken like six different online tests (super valid, I’m sure!) and half the time I get 5 and the other half I get 1. When I read the descriptions of both of them, though, I feel like 5 fits me better.
A few tests if you want to check it out: here, here, and here.
INNIT TO WINNIT
SURVEYLICIOUS, BITCHES
Who was the last person you held hands with?
My husband.
Are you outgoing or shy?
I’m a shy little bugger.
Who are you looking forward to seeing? Where?
THIS SEMESTER in my REAR VIEW MIRROR
Are you easy to get along with?
I think so; I tend to I avoid confrontation.
If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you?
I think Nate would be utterly confused and disappointed if I ever got drunk, but I bet he’d still take care of me.
What kind of people are you attracted to?
I’ve always found people who are very passionate (like, borderline obsessive) about one or two things to be very attractive. Not sure why.
Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?
I hope so!
Who from the opposite gender is on your mind?
Leibniz. ‘Cause always Leibniz.
Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?
Eh.
Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?
Nate.
What does the most recent text that you sent say?
“Hahaha.”
Do you like it when people play with your hair?
I don’t mind it, though no one has played with my hair in a long time.
Do you believe in luck and miracles?
Sure.
What good thing happened this summer?
I got the job I wanted!
Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Absolutely.
Do you think there is life on other planets?
Indeed.
Do you still talk to your first crush?
UHHHHH NOPE
Do you like bubble baths?
If I had to pick bubble bath or bubble-less bath, I would pick the bubble bath.
Do you like your neighbors?
I don’t know any of my neighbors.
What are you bad habits?
Let’s not get into that.
Where would you like to travel?
If I had to travel, I’d pick Antarctica (and Hanover as a second choice). But I’d prefer not to travel at all.
Do you have trust issues?
Meh.
Favorite part of your daily routine?
Walking!
What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with?
Yes.
What do you do when you wake up?
ACTIVATE TEH SADNESS
Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker?
I don’t care.
Who are you most comfortable around?
My mom. Nate. Cats.
Have any of your ex’s told you they regret breaking up?
Hahaha. Flashbacks to 2008/2009.
Do you ever want to get married?
Been there, done that!
Is your hair long enough for a pony tail?
Yup.
Spell your name with your chin.
cloaudiuas (that’s not too bad)
Do you play sports? What sports?
I used to do marching band. It’s a sport, fight me.
Would you rather live without TV or music?
TV.
Have you ever liked someone and never told them?
WELCOME TO MY YOUNG ADULT LIFE
What do you say during awkward silences?
Be silent.
What are your favorite stores to shop in?
Walmart (I’m trash), Goodwill.
What do you want to do after high school?
Exactly what I’m doing now.
Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
Sure.
If you’re being extremely quiet what does it mean?
I’m lost in one of my fantasy worlds. Leave me alone.
Do you smile at strangers?
If I have to.
Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean?
Space.
What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
Walking.
What are you paranoid about?
Not much, I don’t think.
Have you ever been high?
Nope.
Have you ever been drunk?
Nope.
Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about?
I don’t think so.
What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore?
Man, I don’t know. Olive green?
Ever wished you were someone else?
Constantly.
One thing you wish you could change about yourself?
Everything.
Favourite makeup brand?
Probably Wet n’ Wild. Good quality + affordable.
Favourite colour?
Orange.
Favourite food?
Healthy: broccoli
Unhealthy: M&Ms
Last thing you ate?
I had a jolly rancher a little while ago.
First thing you ate this morning?
The jolly rancher I had a little while ago.
Ever won a competition?
Yup.
Been suspended/expelled?
Nope.
Been arrested? For what?
Nope.
Ever been in love?
I currently am!
Tell us the story of your first kiss?
Hahaha. Let’s just say there was drag involved (for both of us), a dance floor, and the song “Sex Tonight.”
Are you hungry right now?
Nah.
Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends?
I don’t have any Tumblr friends. Or hardly any real friends.
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter.
Twitter or Tumblr?
Twitter.
Are you watching tv right now?
No.
Names of your best friends?
Don’t really have any. Maddie, maybe? Sean?
Craving something? What?
Happiness.
What colour are your towels?
They’re striped.
How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two.
Do you sleep with stuffed animals?
Nope.
How many stuffed animals do you think you have?
One. She’s in a closet somewhere, though.
What colour is your underwear?
Teal.
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate, unless it’s ice cream. Then vanilla.
Favourite ice cream flavour?
Oreo.
What colour shirt are you wearing?
It’s got a galaxy on it.
What colour pants?
Mostly blue.
Favourite tv show?
Chicago Hope. The fact that it isn’t on DVD is criminal.
Favourite movie?
Sunshine!
Favourite character from Finding Nemo?
Gill.
First person you talked to today?
Nate.
Last person you talked to today?
Nate.
Name a person you hate?
Trump.
Name a person you love?
Nate!
Is there anyone you want to punch in the face right now?
No.
In a fight with someone?
No.
How many sweatpants do you have?
Hahaha, a lot. But most of them are backup winter walking pants, so they’re stored away in boxes.
How many sweaters/hoodies do you have?
Four or five.
Last movie you watched?
Uhhhhhh I don’t remember.
Favourite actress?
I don’t know if I have one.
Favourite actor?
Not sure if I have one. I’ve been watching a lot of Chicago Hope lately, though, so let’s say Adam Arkin. Tom Hanks is also killer.
Do you tan a lot?
I tan a reasonable amount. I tan before I burn.
Have any pets?
Jazzy! Franklin!
How are you feeling?
Burnt out.
Do you type fast?
100-110 WPM if I concentrate.
Do you regret anything from your past?
Lots.
Can you spell well?
W-E-L-L
Do you miss anyone from your past?
I do. I’ve really been missing Sean a lot lately.
Ever been to a bonfire party?
Yup!
Ever broken someone’s heart?
Maybe?
Have you ever been on a horse?
Probably as a kid.
What should you be doing?
Working.
Is something irritating you right now?
LIFE
Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt?
Haha. Not gonna answer that one.
Who was the last person you cried in front of?
Nate.
Have you ever been out of your province/state?
Yup.
Do you play the Wii?
I played it a few times back when I was living with the dudes in the house.
Are you listening to music right now?
No, surprisingly.
Do you like chicken noodle soup?
Meh.
Do you like Chinese food?
Not particularly.
Favourite book?
The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk.
Are you afraid of the dark?
Nope.
Are you mean?
Meaner than I’d like to be.
Is cheating ever okay?
It is not.
Can you keep white shoes clean?
Ha. No.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Yes.
Do you believe in true love?
Yes.
Are you currently bored?
Not particularly.
What makes you happy?
Walking. Teaching. Not being a failure.
Would you change your name?
My name is fine.
What your zodiac sign?
Aquarius.
Do you like Subway?
Hellz yeah. Tuna, cheese, mayo, and olives, ‘cause I’m a freak of nature that likes all those things mashed together between bread.
Can you count to one million?
Yes, but why?
Do you sleep with your doors open or closed?
Half the time I sleep on the couch/in my chair/in my office chair/on the floor, so I’m not super picky.
How tall are you?
5’2”.
Curly or Straight hair?
Straight.
Brunette or Blonde?
Blonde.
Summer or Winter?
Summer.
Night or Day?
Day.
Favourite month?
July.
Are you a vegetarian?
No, but I don’t eat very much meat.
Dark, milk or white chocolate?
Milk.
Tea or Coffee?
Tea.
Was today a good day?
Eh.
Mars or Snickers?
Snickers.
Do you believe in ghosts?
Sure.
Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page?
“Could a set of three vectors in R4 span all of R4? (It’s my old linear algebra textbook, haha.)
OH GOD MOUNTAINS
So I wish this showed up better in a picture, but you can see the mountains through that little break in the clouds in the middle.
Kinda cool.
Sorry, not much going on today other than our walk.
IT’S THE SPOOKY LIST, BITCHES
Hi. Let’s go.
- This is why I want to go to a Coldplay concert. I really hope they do at least one more tour and come somewhere vaguely close to Calgary (or, y’know, they come to Calgary).
- A hilarious watching/commentary of the Netflix movie “Tall Girl”
- The first minute or so of this is how I imagine the Calgary ScooterGangs roll.
- I have to invigilate a two-hour midterm tonight and then spend tomorrow morning grading it and I don’t want to do either of those things.
- Astros vs. Nationals in the World Series? I’ll take it. I’m cool with either of those teams winning.
- I love how I was like three days away from having my blog 100% up to date and then managed to screw it up. Classic Claudia.
- Check out this resting heart rate, yo.
- Cured egg yolks?! Holy crap, this looks so good.
I think that’s everything.
Let’s Talk About Sound
Or, more specifically, how to kill people with it!*
Sound, as we all know, is a physical thing. It comes from vibrations moving through matter (including air, of course). A sound begins when something causes a vibration. This vibration creates a longitudinal wave traveling through matter. This wave is actually a pressure wave. If said pressure wave hits our eardrums, then we hear a sound.
The volume or loudness of a sound is based on the amplitude of these vibration-created pressure waves. A loud sound will have a larger oscillation between the high and low pressures of the waves when compared to a soft sound, meaning that loud sounds have higher high pressure sections and lower low pressure sections than soft sounds.
This is kind of convenient because it allows there to be a threshold for what we can consider to be the “loudest” sound—if the low pressure gets too low, it hits vacuum-level and cannot go lower. So the loudest sound is something that creates low pressure sections between waves that are nearly vacuums.
(Wild.)
In fact, what we consider to be the “threshold of sound” on the loud side of the scale (at least on earth) occurs at 194 decibels.** And where do we hit the point where sound can be deadly? Somewhere around 185-200 decibels.
Here are a few good resources/articles that talk about sound in general as well as what happens when you start approaching (or passing!) that “here is where sound gets deadly” threshold.
It’s actually kind of disturbing to think about. But also really cool.
*Sound killing people was actually something I focused on in my 2012 NaNoWriMo, “Whistler’s Father.” A scientist and an artist were working together to create the “perfect” sound—something that would boost mood, health, and would overall make people “better” if they were to hear it. But it turned out that the perfect sound was actually deadly if it was listened to for too long; the scientist in my story ends up killing himself via this perfect sound because he becomes addicted to it and is unable to stop listening to it in time to prevent his own death. Yeah, that was a cheery NaNo.
**You can get sounds louder than this, but the vibrations that create them don’t create waves (again, because of that low pressure threshold) but they still create something. Things like the atomic bombs dropped on Japan and the eruption of Krakatoa, for example, were louder than 194 decibels, and were very destructive if we even just consider the sounds (or rather, the spikes in atmospheric pressure) they produced.
Holy crap.
Cheering is absolutely a sport.
(So is marching band, fight me.)
How long must have all that taken to choreograph, learn, and perfect?
Headphone Pandemonium
Do you have a favorite pair of headphones and want to test how well they perform? Or are you looking to buy a pair of headphones but can’t decide between a few different models? Try this website! It lists a bunch of tests you can run by just listening to different sound files on your headphones.
Give it a try!
(Confession: I’m mostly posting this for my own reference later, haha)
NANOWRIMO APPROACHETH
AND I DON’T HAVE A PLAN YET
(I never really have a plan for it, though, so what’s new.)
I have a character in mind, but I’m not sure what to do with him. I guess my backup in case I can’t do anything interesting with him is to do that whole “mysterious illness on a cruise ship” thing, but that sounds ultra dumb and I don’t know if I want to even put that on paper.
Who knows.
Broccoli Makes Memories
So for the first time since I’ve been with Nate, my mom was able to come up and meet us at Nate’s parent’s place near the border and spend Canadian Thanksgiving with us. It was super fun! It was also hard not to jump in my mom’s car and just go back to Moscow, haha.
ALSO, my mom made the broccoli cheese thing that we (my mom, dad, and myself) always used to have at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was the first time I’d had it in a long time and holy hell I forgot how good it was.
I’ve mentioned the recipe for it in my “Master Recipe List” that I posted a while ago, but I’m going to link the blog with that document here, ‘cause I highly recommend trying it out. So tasty.
(“Broccoli Bake” on page 7)
YAY
WHAT—
This randomly popped into my head while I was teaching this morning and it was all I could do to keep from laughing while lecturing.
Freaking internet.
Who Nose?
Woah, Perrie Edwards has anosmia? Coolness. I like her.
I can relate to those *confused and lost* faces she makes when others are talking about scents.
HERE’S THE TEACH:
YO NERDS!
So I’m sure you’re all curious as to what I’m teaching next semester, right?
(Totally sure.)
STAT 321
SCIE 301
Edit: MATH 249
That SCIE 301 class is not even in the Math/Stats Department, so that’ll be interesting (that’s the one I was in the meeting for last week).
I hope the fact that I can teach math, stats, AND outside the department increases my usefulness around here. I fear for my future, even though I’m good up through next August.
Yay?
A Wrinkle in Foot
Today’s walk was COLD and SNOWY and WINDY and I have TRANSFORMED INTO WRINKLEFOOT.
That is all.
Cheffing at Sea
Interesting!
This is probably going to sound really stupid/weird, but I’ve always kind of wanted to work at sea. Like, ever since junior high or so, I’ve had this weird fascination with wanting to work/live on a big ship. I have no idea why; it has zero correlation with any of my other dreams or desires. But it’s always kinda been there, and it’s a little embarrassing to admit for whatever reason (probably because I imagine the reaction to this dream being a judgmental look and a “pfft, you? Please.”).
So yeah.
Fakeball Postseason Coverage 2019 OMFG
So I’m an impatient bastard and I want my Canadian Baseball League World Series results NOW.
Thus, rather than simulate day-by-day (like I’ve been doing the whole semester), I just did everything today so that it was all done and we know who won the World Series!
So LET’S LOOK AT THE RESULTS!
[Edit: I’m uploading this blog from SeaTac, actually, and I just realized that I forgot to save the related images on my flash drive. So since I can’t remember the details off the top of my head, y’all are going to have to wait until I get back to Calgary for the rest of this blog. Stay tuned! This will be updated soon. Sorry!]
20,000 Miles!
Hello, nerd bombs! To everyone’s shock, today will be a walking-related blog.
Why? Because counting today’s walk, I have walked a total of 20,000 miles since living in Calgary!
Here are some stats (as always, haha):
Total walks: 1,610
Total distance: 20,002.96 miles
Total steps: 44,913,637
Total time: 307,098.13 minutes (that’s 5,118.30 hours, or 213.26 days, or 0.584 years)
Total calories burned: 1,341,926.0
The median* distance per walk was 15.02 miles; median steps per walk was 33,055; median time per walk was 214.98 minutes (3.583 hours).
Here are boxplots of distance by year. Notice how my walking distances become dramatically more consistent as we move from 2014 to 2019.
*Medians are used instead of means, as all of the distributions of the above variables are highly skewed
I freaking love Max Scherzer
That is all.
Ya sure a survey why not
Where do you go to decompress from the world?
Anywhere where I can be alone. I’m so over dealing with people.
If given $10,000, what would you do with it?
I should save it, but I’d probably end up buying obnoxiously expensive headphones and/or many, many pairs of Kinvaras.
What is one major renovation you would love to make on your house?
Meh. The windows need fixing. Pretty boring.
What is one movie that you love and didn’t expect to love?
Sunshine. I found it at a Bookmans in Tucson and got it simply because I loved a song from the soundtrack. I never expected the movie to be as good as it is.
What is the oldest knick-knack you own and what is its sentimental value?
Probably a little music box from when I was a kid. It’s a little circular thing with a dancing kitty in it. It still works, too, I think.
Do you own any books you keep out of obligation, but actually hate?
I don’t think so?
How many countries have you visited outside of the one you live in now?
Uh…four. Good ol’ ‘Murica, Sweden, Finland, and England.
Have you ever read only part of a book, but claimed you’ve read the whole thing
Probably. I did, however, read the entirety of War and Peace in 7th grade because the guy I liked was trying to do the same thing and I was like “SURELY HE’LL LIKE ME IF I BEST HIM AT THIS REALLY DUMB TASK LOLOLOLOL I’M A GENIUS.”
If you could change your name, what would it be?
Meh. I’m cool with my name.
What is a nickname a former (or present) lover gave you?
Nate just calls me “Love.” It’s wonderful. I’m also “Lizard Wife” on occasion because I produce no body heat.
How do you style your hair? If you just would say “cut” what style is it?
I comb it and hope for the best. I hate my freaking hair and how dumb it looks no matter what I do with it.
How many colors are you wearing now?
Approximately six.
Is there anything that has made you unhappy recently?
Ha. Ha.
What was the last song to get stuck in your head?
Doja Cat’s “Juicy” was stuck in my head during my walk the other day.
What is your least favorite thing to do that you have to do everyday?
Exist.
Best time of your life?
I enjoyed my time back at the U of I when I was getting my math degree. Teaching + taking classes was enjoyable, especially after I found a group of math nerds to hang out with. Things were good and chill.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?
My semester off. Holy crap, I really need it. This burnout is destructive on so many levels.
DO YOU EVER FEEL
LIKE A PLASTIC BAG
DRIFTING THROUGH THE BREEZE
HAUNTING THE U OF C
That bag flew around for like half an hour out there. THE SNOW IS BLOWING IN, Y’ALL.
Tweetball
Hello, peeps.
So the Mets’ season officially ended yesterday. SADNESS!
As I’ve mentioned, Twitter is basically my baseball info hub, and most of my liked Tweets are baseball-related (the rest are math/stats-related, walking-related, or PRIMO MEME CONTENT).
So as a little tribute to the end of the regular season, I present the Mets’ 2019 season in Tweet form! Enjoy.
https://twitter.com/McCanns_Beard/status/1117260366201880576
https://twitter.com/TheNatsFanatic/status/1136094208987672576
https://twitter.com/Pete_Alonso20/status/1156581443889483776
https://twitter.com/JeffMcNeil805/status/1174819899153289226
Bonus nonsense:
https://twitter.com/MLBMeme/status/1108327720843243520
Canadian League Baseball: Week 25 Summary
The (fake) baseball season (and the real one too, I guess) officially ended today! Here are the final standings going into the playoffs:
Here are the batting/pitching leaders:
WOO!
ALONSO SMASH!
Such a cool moment.
That is all.
Winter Walking: September Edition
It’s FREAKING SNOWING RIGHT NOW and I am NOT READY FOR THIS WEATHER.
It’s supposed to get worse over the weekend, too, so that’s great.
So in the spirit of “I need to pretend to look on the bright side of things unless I want to shoot myself in the face,” let’s list all the pros of winter walking.
- I use my on-ear headphones as a way to keep my ears warm, which means I get to listen to music when I walk (I don’t walk to music in the summer).
- I have to wear a coat, which helps hide my ugly body from the world.
- I don’t have to wear sunscreen (and thus don’t have to hose off in the bathroom once I get to campus).
- There are fewer people out on the sidewalks/river path due to coldness/bad weather.
- You burn slightly more calories in the cold than you do in other temperatures.
…I think that’s it.
So yeah. Things are supposed to improve by the end of the coming week, but it’s hard to see beyond the FREAKING SEPTEMBER SNOWSTORM right now.
Eigenblogger 